Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launching the knowledge city during the India Global Education Summit at Kalaivanar Arangam.
| Photo Credit: R. RAGU
:
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the Tamil Nadu Knowledge City (TNKC) during the ongoing India Global Education Summit 2026 in Chennai.
In his presence, the State government received Letters of Intent (LoI) for the Knowledge Tower at the TNKC from five universities, research labs and business houses, with a total investment value of ₹355 crore.
Besides, Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were also exchanged with eight universities and business houses for broad collaboration to set up innovation and research ecosystem facilities in Tamil Nadu. The Chief Minister also felicitated IIT-Madras Director V. Kamakoti for being awarded the Padma Shri.
The LoIs — received by Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), the nodal agency for the TNKC — have the potential to create 2,255 direct jobs and 9,650 indirect opportunities, according to official estimates.
The University of Melbourne will establish an applied research facility in the areas of quantum computing and agritech, with an investment of ₹35 crore over five years. It will occupy 20,000 square feet in the Knowledge Tower, and create 25 direct jobs and 200 indirect ones.
Similarly, IIT-Madras’ Centre for Advanced Automotive Research will set up a translational research facility and testing lab for electric vehicles on 40,000 square feet, with an investment of ₹200 crore, generating 100 direct and 2,000 indirect jobs. IIT-Madras Global will establish a research skilling facility on 20,000 square feet.
The West Asia-based Aarksee Group proposes to establish a research lab on carbon capture and sustainability. In addition, Acumen Group, in partnership with TIDCO, has committed to promoting the TKNC project and bringing in an investment of ₹120 crore, which will create 150 direct jobs and 2,500 indirect ones.
These apart, IIT-Madras Global, as part of an MoU signed with Guidance Tamil Nadu, will promote global talent development, advanced skilling in AI and semiconductors, and start-up innovation; the Illinois Institute of Technology will establish a Centre of Excellence in Chennai, focusing on advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and health-AI; and Adobe has committed to providing free Creative AI licenses to higher education students.
TIDCO, too, exchanged MoUs with the University of East London for an innovation hub, and the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) U.K. to strengthen talent development and rope in investments.
Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa proposed setting up a working group with the institutions that signed MoUs with the government. He said Tamil Nadu has managed to convert 81% of the MoUs it has signed into proper outcomes, signalling the seriousness it attaches to such opportunities.
Ministers Govi. Chezhiaan and P.K. Sekarbabu, Higher Education Secretary P. Shankar, TIDCO Chairperson Sandhya Venugopal Sharma and Managing Director Sandeep Nanduri, and Founder and Chair of NISAU Sanam Arora were present.
Published – January 30, 2026 12:46 am IST
